Discussion Guide
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-10
Grades 11-12

Media Literacy Questions for Analyzing POV Films Messages & Meanings

Messages & Meanings

Content

  • What is this film about (and what makes you think that)?
  • What ideas, values and information are overt? Implied?
  • Who are the voices of authority in this film? Are there voices left out that would add important perspectives?

Techniques

  • What techniques does the filmmaker use to communicate essential ideas?
  • How do those techniques communicate the intended message(s)?

Interpretations

  • How might others see this film in a way that differs from the way I see it? How and why might different types of people interpret this film in divergent ways?
  • What is my reaction to this film and what do I learn about myself from my reaction or interpretation?

Sources

About the author:

Faith Rogow

Faith Rogow, Ph.D., is the co-author of The Teacher's Guide to Media Literacy: Critical Thinking in a Multimedia World (Corwin, 2012) and past president of the National Association for Media Literacy Education. She has written discussion guides and lesson plans for more than 250 independent films.

Faith Rogow